Aussie kids pick ‘Click’

Sandler laffer finds auds in Oz

SYDNEY — Sony’s “Click” clicked Down Under, the first international opening for the Adam Sandler starrer.

In its first week pic returned A$5.9 million ($4.3 million) with a $15,000 screen average, from 280 screens, less than half the number that “The Da Vinci Code” opened on.

Sony’s Oz topper Ross Entwistle said the opening week result was the best for a Sandler pic in Oz, almost $700,000 ahead of “The Water Boy” and “Anger Management,” which were released in January and Easter respectively.

“Click’s” preem coincided with school vacation in the second-largest state, Victoria. Queensland schools broke up last weekend and most of Oz will be on holidays from June 30.

“There’s a lot of interest among 7- and 8-year-old boys,” Entwistle said, acknowledging they will need to be accompanied by an adult, due to pic’s M-rating.

Competition for screens is fierce.

“Click” was limited to 280 screens because cinemas have hedged their bets on toons going boffo during the two-week break.

“Over the Hedge” is playing on 342 screens and has grossed $4.3 million after one week plus extensive sneaks; “Cars” has grossed $9.1 million from 368 screens after two weeks.